Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-08-16
HAHN, INSANITY.
DR. Bruno Tells What he Knows bout
This Complicated Case.

DR.. Bruno Tells what DO Knows a Don't
This Complicated Case.
. EDS. RECORD UNIoN: In answer 10 an
article appearing in last Saturday
RECORD UNION, concerning the insanity of
John Hahn, in which 1 find my name I'M
kindly dragged before the public, I deem it
necessary, and in fact owe it to my good
reputation, to give full explanation of the
case, at least as far as I am connected with
| the same.
To have the matter fully understood, l
| will state that during the past year | have
| at various times been called TO attend J.
| Hahn in sickness depending on mental de-
rangement. From observations made l
found that in consequence of the slightest
provocation Mr.. Hahn would suddenly be
aroused to violent attacks of mania, in
which he would throw glasses, knives, or
whatever happened TO be in his hands, at
anybody around him, and in particular at
his wife, Immediately after such an at
tack, he could not remember what had
happened nor what he had been doing. AT
other times he would commit actions not
proper to be mentioned here, but which
fully demonstrated the character OF his dis
ease. Mrs. Hahn at various times COM
which she was exposed, not only to me,
but also to other physicians and asked for
advice Already year ago DIR. Simmons,
Sr, recognized the danger of permitting
Mr. Hahn TO be at large, and wrote letter
to Judge Mcfarland to that effect, request
ing him to have commission OF lunacy
appointed and to have Mr.. Hahn exam
ined. Mrs. Hahn, however, hoping that
her husband would improve, did not make
use of the letter and has it still IN her pos
session.
Friday, August 9Th, Mrs. Hahn called at
nv office, stating that her husband had
just returned from Ridge Home, private
hospital near the city, where he had been
treated for fourteen days and had not i'm |
proved, that he again had violent attack, |
and that the condition was unbearable. |
Being convinced that her statements were I
true and that something had to be done in !,
the matter, gave her note to the Sheriff, |
requesting that gentleman to pay attention |
to her complaint. The same afternoon, |
August 5th, Judge Armstrong appointed |
DR.. Simmons, Jr., and myself as Com |
missioners of Lunacy, TO determine the |
sanitory condition of Mr.. ]. Hahn. We |
attended to our duty to the best of our |
ability, and found, him according to testi- |
mony and symptoms, afflicted with mental |
disorder called dementia Faralytica, |
which is characterized by gradual failing !
of physical as well as mental power
During the course of this disease, which
usually lasts many years, there are dis
tinct ameliorations and aggravations, the
latter sometimes complicated with other
forms ofinsanity, particularly acute mania;
and it is during these complications that
deeds of violence are most often perpe-
trated, hence it is not only justifiable but
necessary to have persons so
afflicted secured in asylums so as to pre-
vent mischief. So much for the actual
condition of Mr.. Hahn.
The following day Mrs. Hahn again
called at my Office for advice, Judge Arm
strong having objected to having her hus
band committed to the asylum. As |
thought there existed some misunderstood
ing in regard to the causes of Mr.. Hahn's
that easily could be adjusted, l
proceeded to accompany her to the Judge
and discuss the matter personally with him.
Failing TO meet the Judge that afternoon,
as he had left town, | called on him the
next morning at his residence, and finding
that he was of the opinion that Mr.. Hahn,
on account of having some property, should
be sent to private institution instead of TO
q public asylum, l communicated this to
Mrs. Hahn, and also rendered my services
in obtaining information in regard to ex
penSeS, etc, from the private asylum OF Dr
Clark, in Stockton. This information OBJ
tanned Wednesday, August 10th, and the
letter was sent by my Office boy to Mrs.
Hams residence. This is all have had
to do with the case, and l am not ashamed
of nv actions / have acted like any cit-
zen would act toward lady, and particu-
larry where the lady, as in this case, is an
invalid and unable TO speak the language !
sufficiently well to defend herself. Re-
spectfullv. DR.. AUGUST +. Bruno.